ISLAMABAD, March 13: Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday said masses need to be told as to what sort of freedom of expression is permissible in Pakistan and they need to be informed about Ariticle-19 of the Constitution. Hearing a petition regarding blasphemous content on social media, Chief Justice IHC Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui said judiciary alone is entitled to interpret the Constitution and the law.
Justice Siddiqui said confusion is being created over freedom of expression, adding, “Certain people have objection to my shedding tears.”
Justice Siddiqui advised police and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to exercise extreme caution in identification of blasphemous content.
SSP Sajid Kiyani, Secretary Interior, and Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority appeared before the court on Monday. A representative of the civil society was also present. The petitioner informed the court that the civil society registered a case at I-9 police station on January 15. He also read out the text of the registered case.
At the start of the hearing Justice Siddiqui said that it should be understood that what is Article 19, what is freedom of expression and what are the restrictions on its wrongful use.
Making amendments in the constitution is not journalists’ job it is the work of law making institutions, Justice Siddiqui continued requesting the religious scholars and journalists not to launch any campaign in his favor on the social media.
Director FIA told the court that besides three controversial websites there are six more the application to close whom we did not give. We have also requested Facebook to close the controversial pages; he said adding that FIA is still in the enquiry stage.
The guilty should be punished but no allegation should be leveled against any innocent, whosoever committed the blasphemy will not be able to escape the clutches of the law, Justice Siddiqui said.
Director FIA said that we would prepare application as per the international law and will file them soon; if you exercise caution none who committed blasphemy will get away.
The court asked him when will the enquiry complete, adding that it is a serious charge that will last for races. It appears from the TV shows that no work is being done, the TV wallas did not even like that tears flowed from the judge’s eyes while dictating order, Justice Siddiqui said. May Allah gave guidance to all, selling sanctity to allow selling news could not be permitted, he added.-Sabah
